Refractive Index - Lens question

AI Thread Summary
A double concave lens with equal radii of curvature of 15.1 cm forms a virtual image 5.0 cm from the lens when an object is placed 14.2 cm away. The calculations for the focal length yield a value of 1/f = 0.27, but the focal length is negative due to the sign convention for virtual images. Using the lens maker's equation, the refractive index calculation initially resulted in an incorrect value of 3.03, prompting a reevaluation of the sign convention. After applying the correct sign convention, the refractive index was recalculated to be approximately 1.98, which aligns with one of the answer choices. The discussion emphasizes the importance of sign conventions in lens calculations.
jacksonwiley
Messages
17
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A double concave lens has equal radii of curvature of 15.1 cm. An object placed 14.2 cm from the lens forms a virtual image 5.0 cm from the lens. What is the index of refraction of the lens material?

A. 1.98
B. 1.9
C. 1.84
D. 2.06

Homework Equations



1/f = (n – 1 ) (1/R1 - 1/R2 )
1/f = 1/do + 1/di

The Attempt at a Solution



1/f = 1/14.2 + 1/5.0 so i get 1/f = 0.27

1/f = (n – 1 ) (1/R1 - 1/R2 )
0.27 = (n-1) (1/15.1 - (-1/15.1)

this results in an n equal to about 3.03 which is not close to any of the answers, though I'm sure i have the right equations, I'm just not sure what I'm doing wrong?
are these only applicable to convex lens?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
I am getting n=1.98 .Is this the correct answer ?
 
Vibhor said:
I am getting n=1.98 .Is this the correct answer ?

i'm not sure if that is right but it is an answer choice. what method did you use?
 
The problem is with the calculation of focal length . You should be very careful with whatever sign convention you are using . 1/f is coming out to be -0.13 cm . I am using new coordinate sign convention where the direction of incident rays is considered positive .In this sign convention both the object as well as image distance is negative.
 
If the image is virtual than di is negative (according with the most common sign convention which seems to be the one used here).
 
Last edited:
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top